Job Discussion Forums

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

That hefty salary should easily allow you to subsidize an apartment or hotel/apartment.

bigdurian · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 4:24 pm Post subject:

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Shookran · Joined: 07 Aug 2016 Posts: 42

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Jeddah is quite a magical place, but there is no question that salaries, terms and conditions are getting worse. I am glad that I was there when I had the chance (1970 and then 1990 followed by a long stint in 1996-2002)

n1322 · Joined: 01 Sep 2016 Posts: 3

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

scarlie · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 24

There are other financial considerations at KAU: KAU does not pay for your medical/visa fees which can be substantial; KAU does not provide multi-exit/entry fees, so you must get approval and pay the fees every time you wish to exit the country; KAU does not provide enough of a housing allowance for decent accommodation; and finally, KAU makes you pay for your iqama renewal. These things add up.

AmericanAmina · Joined: 15 Dec 2015 Posts: 104 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

I lived in Taif for 3 years and want to mention that in KSA, an "unfurnished" apartment meant bare walls. For example, in the kitchen there was only a sink hanging from the wall. We had to buy cupboards and countertops, a stove, a fridge, and of course the tables and chairs, etc. People coming in from abroad likely have a different expectation of what unfurnished means.

My husband traveled there first, without me and the kids. It was about 2 months before we could go join him. This is pretty normal. That was in 2011. The visa rules just changed this year, and they seem to be more complex than before. Friends of ours here in the UAE just navigated the new system. He went first, and I think it was about a month before he could bring his wife and kids. He's working HR for Halliburton, though, which is a whole different story than if you're being hired on by a university, because his company expedited everything for him.

FrenchConnexion · Joined: 22 Jan 2015 Posts: 48

Your wife doesn't have a degree, but being a native speaker with a CELTA, she can find a job pretty fast in an international school there. The pay for a native speaker is 10,000 SAR upward. The good thing is, your kids can attend the same school for free or with a 50% discount. The housing allowance of 17,000 SAR is standard in Saudi gov. universities. Yes it is meager. But better that than nothing, as we might probably get next year in my university! So 25000 SAR+/month is quite decent I would say. Your forgot to mention that you will be eligible to 4 economy class tickets. That's a huge incentive.

berries · Joined: 12 Oct 2016 Posts: 7

[quote="ITeachYorkshire"][quote="nomad soul"]

If you're currently teaching in the UK and your wife is able to work as well, it might be best to stay put. However, if you're itching to head abroad, look at Hong Kong or China for potential opportunities. But... If KSA is still on your radar... again, try KFUPM for openings.[/quote]

My wife and I both have decent jobs in the UK, but we're in our early 30's and have both been working since our teens. I was hoping KSA would be a nice change of pace from the doom & gloom in the UK, but it seems financial hardship has spread over there too. It was a cross between adventure and easier going llifestyle we were lookin for.

On another note, we are both muslim and I haven't ever been to Saudi or performed my hajj pilgrimage. Being an hour away in Jeddah seemed ideal, the cost savings for hajj alone would have offset the seemingly low housing allowance.

Alas, I may have just been searching for someone to tell me it would be fine and that I shoukd just go. I appreciate everyone's honesty and frankness on the matter. Maybe I just need to find a better job at home![/quote]

My honest and heartfelt advice is don't go if you both have a secure job in the UK. My husband and have just returned back home to the UK after being in Jeddah for 5 years. (did 3 different jobs while we were there) We are really struggling to find a job now that we are back home. (4 months and still searching!) We tried to secure a job for a long while before returning but then could not stay any longer so just took a leap of faith and came back anyway.
We are both qualified teachers (PGCE) with BA's in English and a TESOL certificate so we are well qualified and also Muslim.

We honestly did a great job in Saudi (if I may say so myself) and have many very grateful students who still email us)

However you will find that your employers will not treat you as you’d expect and there is quite a lot of discrimination and very disappointing truths that you will learn. Save yourself the heartache and trouble because it’s not worth it if you have a good job in the UK. I can vouch for the fact that the grass is definitely not greener on the other side and while the weather in the UK is doom and gloom the weather there is unbearably hot and sticky. Honestly that housing allowance will not get you a decent apartment with the living standards you are used to in the UK. Because believe me I couldn’t believe the state of the accommodation while working at KAU. To elaborate; I’m taking cooker connected to a gas tank and an old 1960's style twin tub washing machine which looked like something out of a history book and don’t get me started on the pest problem.

As for hajj while you are there, you still need to register with a hajj group there in order to do hajj because you need a hajj permit to enter Makah during hajj season.
It’s still expensive and difficult as outsiders to join the Saudi hajj groups and it only covers the 5 days of hajj. It would be a better experience at the same cost for what you get, to do hajj from the UK. (I’ve done both)
Also getting your wife to join you on a spouse visa will take a minimum of 3 months because you will only be able to get her over once you have your iqama (work permit) which can take up to 3 months to process.

So my advice, if you want an adventure, maybe try another place which is more welcoming and forward thinking.

dragonpiwo · Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 1650 Location: Berlin

Saudi's cheap to live in. Do you have QTS or just TEFL? ADEC hire for secondary schools in the UAE and it's quite a good deal. Might want to look to Qatar or Oman or the UAE for a bit more adventure. At least your wife can drive in those places and get about socially.

You can get Hajj visas. My pal was in Jeddah for a while and said it's quite nice and much more 'liberal' but I've lived in Qatar, Kuwait, UAE and Saudi and can tell you the UAE or Qatar are where you want to be. Salaries in Oman are lower but it's a lovely place.